U.S. Soccer confirmed its upcoming friendlies on the road against Poland on March 26 and Spain on June 4, but also revealed that two other friendlies against high quality opponents in May and June are in the works.
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati stated that the U.S. men’s national team is finalizing a match against a FIFA Top Five opponent on June 8 at a venue in the Northeast. The current FIFA Top Five includes: Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Germany. With Spain already on the schedule, and the USA having already played Brazil in September, that leaves Argentina, Italy and Germany. My money is on Italy. With Italy and Germany playing in the European Championship that same week, that leaves Argentina.
Gulati also revealed that the U.S. team is working on a friendly in Europe against a FIFA Top 20 opponent in Europe before its match against Spain. Gulati said there is a 50/50 chance the friendly in Europe will be finalized.
Gulati also stated that a venue for the friendly in Spain has yet to be chosen.
Finally, some matches of quality. The U.S. team NEEDS these matches, as they have been playing like garbage the past few years year (I’ve been having nightmare flashbacks of ’98 and ’06). In order for this country to get better, we need to start playing the big guns, like Spain, Argentina, Enger-land, etc. and so on.
On another note, I’m gonna also side with the DC people here -living in DC myself- and ask: why the HELL aren’t they playing any matches in DC? It used to be a prime spot of choice for USSF to hold qualifiers and friendlies; now, nothing. Look, RFK may no longer be an elite facility but FedEx field is a prime facility for soccer matches (over 90,000 seats) in a decent media market -with an established and ever-growing soccer fan base. I think it has proven to be an excellent place to host matches (see DC United vs. Chelsea 2/3 years ago) and could continue to be a great spot.
Well I just saw Goff’s post about Italy & Germany playing in Euro 2008… there goes the Italy in Philly idea.
Just please, USSF, no turf fields! Go to Philly (or DC would obviously be even better, for my own selfish reasons)!
My best guess is Italy, in Philly. Philly’s got the only grass field of the major markets in the Northeast, and a large Italian population to help drive ticket sales.
Also, since I’m in DC, Philly is my hopeful choice, since it’s only 3 hours away.
They should play England…I hope to God it is England. It would be a great test for us, but a lose/lose for them. If they win, they should have. If they lose, England fans might jump off a bridge.
How can it be Italy or any other Euro 2008 team playing the the NE of USA on June 8? If it is a top team, Argentina, Brazil or England are possibilities, I’m guessing the Argies.
i heard norway too
Excellent, excellent news.
Actually I meant to say England is not a top 5 power but in Gulati’s mind they probably are.
Watch it be England, I just have this funny feeling, I hear they are free during the June 8th period, I think people are looking too literal at the top 5 and not thinking in general terms England is a top 5 power but in Gulati’s mind they probably are. Don’t rule out the 3 lions and possibly a chance for Beckham to get his 100th cap.
Italy at Giants Stadium, and how about Italy give Rossi his first Cap in the USA at Giants Stadium only a stone’s throw from his REAL hometown. Nice little poke in the eye and a good way to rally the US fans.
“I hope its Italy @ Giants Stadium”
Mike – I sure hope so!
of course, Goff brings up a great point; it’s gotta be Argentina:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/02/usa_news.html
I talked to some folks at the DFB a month or so ago and they said they had no plans on playing the US anytime soon. That could have changed but given that I’m guessing it’s going to Italy too. (though with Argentina coming to LA this week, it’s possible they are trying to grow their ‘brand’ in the US)
Didn’t I hear Norway?
Does NORWAY rank in the top 20 of anything?
If true this would be excellent. Greater quality opponents can only aid the U.S. moving forward to 2010. This is one thing USSF has started to get right.
Ives- I agree that will likely be Italy looking at their schedule, but it might be Argentina.
Nice, it’s good to see USSF scheduling top flight nations. I hope this continues being the norm going forward.
I hope its Italy @ Giants Stadium
Much better scheduling US Soccer
Great news. This is the only way we’re gunna get better and not get TOO shell-shocked once 2010 rolls around.
Man Poland again. Enough already its becoming an annual event with them.
My only fear is that if the game in spain and then the one here are so close, that BB might do a euro camp and then a whole separate B team camp, which means we’d be playing a top 5 team here in the states with our mls contigent…Idk if im cool with that.
I say Argentina in Boston or NY and England at wembley
I’m confused. We are playing at Spain on June 4th and then “in the northeast” on June 8th. Am I missing something or are we having a trans-atlantic camp?
I am pumped. We better be playing ALL of these games at full strength. If these games do happen and I see someone like Eddie Lewis, Noonan or Twellman on the roster Im gonna flip.
my guess is brazil in ny and england at wembley
argentina, we just played brazil
so argentina?
Euro 2008 starts June 7 so the June 8 match can’t be against a European top-five team.
Argentina
Brazil
Italy
not Spain
Germany